with a few extra inches of natural hair - and an appointment with a new hairstylist.
STYLIST OPTIONS
My stylist had moved to New York and recommended a friend to fill her slot. This new hairstylist happened to be Ethiopian and was one of the few I knew at the time who worked on such a range of hair textures. My braids were gone and I was on my way. It's important to choose a stylist who will tend to your particular needs and wants, and then work with you to maintain healthy hair.
During the winter months when humidity was not an issue, I visited the salon maybe every three weeks. Between those visits I would wash, condition and braid or twist my hair and then air dry. Sometimes I'd tuck my hair under hats or let it peep out from beneath other headgear. As my hair grew longer, I finally started to experience what I had longed for: a healthy, luxurious, strong, shiny crown of natural-textured tresses. One day during the warmer months I missed my salon appointment and decided to administer my own home treatment. After washing and deep conditioning my hair, I stared into the mirror and noticed that my natural hair had grown so that now just two inches of relaxed hair hung limply on the ends of a vibrant, dark, kinky, coily mass. It had its own personality and was poised to come alive. I grabbed the scissors and gently clipped dozens of limp pieces from my crown and began my new life with "hair au naturel."
Natural products are best, no alcohol please! Let me note here that when I refer to alcohol in this book, it is “ethyl” alcohol that I mean and not” certearyl” alcohol. It is Ethyl alcohol that is commonly referred to as "alcohol". Certearyl Alcohol is a waxy, crystalline solid used as an emulsifier that thickens or adds body to the pomade. This blend is derived from naturally occurring fatty acids from coconut oil and provides a creaminess to products.
Ethyl Alcohol is a drying agent which robs the hair of its moisture and constricts it. I do apologize for any confusion I may have caused and hope this clears it up for you!
Listed below are just a few satirical excerpts from my natural hair experience, ranging from public comments, societal attitudes and my rediscovery process.
My Facts About Natural Hair Care:
•You don't have to kut your hair off to go natural.
•Water is your natural moisturizer, so revel in the misty rain or fling your neck back under the shower and let your tresses ... flow, coil, etc.
•Color is now a great option for your hair repertoire.
•You are in control of your natural wave pattern; it is yours and yours only, a one of a kind. It's like your fingerprint or your signature.
•You control the twist, turn, coil and curl of your hair with just a little water, a precious styling tool.
•Natural products are best, no alcohol (ethyl alcohol) please!
•Convenience is yours.
•The silk pillowcase is your friend.
•Maximum flexibility is also yours; if you want sleek, straight, smooth, it is still an option and not far out of reach.
•Natural hair is you on the job! In fact, you may receive more resistance from your brothers and sisters than any corporate world colleague. Don't be surprised and don't fret. Your beautiful tresses and unwavering confidence will break them in gently, and soon they will seek your advice and natural hair tips.
•Natural hair is sexy! And you and your lover will still enjoy running your fingers through it.
•Chemical-free hair can improve your health. Moving from inorganic harmful chemicals commonly absorbed through the scalp and skin to organic products - such as shea butter and herbs - can increase overall skin tone and elasticity.
•Chemical-free hair can reduce stress and in some instances, free you from endless hair appointments to enjoy your life, and especially Saturdays.
•Compared with popular chemical treatments, natural hairstyles can save you money over time.
•Natural hairstyles last longer.
•Natural is not wiry like a brillo pad; when clean, it is soft, supple and sensuous.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
Is going natural something every black woman should do?
No, hairstyles are personal and reflect each individual's sense of style, preference and mode. A woman should wear hairstyles that are most comfortable and complimentary for her. I personally recommend that women at least experiment and flirt with natural hairstyles as an option. For most of our lives, as women, we have struggled with our individual hair textures to change or tame it. Now seems to be a great time to usher in natural hair, with the variety of hair care products available containing ingredients like shea butter, herbs and essential oils, and other non-alcohol and softening agents that are gentle and nourishing to natural and textured hair.
Do you think relaxing is a bad thing?
Chemically, I believe relaxing is bad for the hair. During the 15 years I relaxed my hair, I noticed my mane had thinned quite a bit. I believe the chemicals and relaxers are very harsh and damaging to the scalp and skin. I believe anything that burns like that could not be healthy in the long run. Again, for years I suffered the chemical irritants to maintain a luxurious flowing head of hair that I believed was more acceptable, convenient and easier to maintain than natural hair.
Have relaxers ever caused you problems?
The chemical in relaxers often irritated my scalp and skin when first applied, and I noticed my hair would cycle through various dry and brittle stages during my regular six to 10 week touchup cycle. As a result, I experienced more hair breakage and shedding when using relaxers.
Does your hair shed more now that it is natural versus when it was relaxed?
My hair-shedding pattern is very different, and overall I can say I experience less hair shedding with my natural hair. I believe my relaxed hair was more fragile and prone to breakage and split ends than my natural hair. With relaxed hair, the shedding occurred when the hair was dry or continuously exposed to heat products. I noticed a little hair shedding when styling with a large-tooth comb or during routine wash and comb out. Natural hair tends to be more tolerant of heat and dry weather, however, it also requires moisturizing and gentle treatment to prevent tangles and hair breakage.
Do you find that you have more dandruff now than when you started getting relaxers?
No, it's really about the same. I notice that my scalp is a bit drier than when I had a relaxer. Washing with a moisturizing shampoo and keeping the scalp properly nourished with a cream hairdress reduces my dry scalp and dandruff.
Can you tell the difference in over-the-counter versus professional, herbal, ethnic and European?
Yes,
